Senate Resolution No. 2586 BY: Senator PALUMBO HONORING influential Black authors upon the occasion of special recognition at the Black Authors Festival in Sag Harbor, New York on August 3, 2024 WHEREAS, It is the custom of the Legislative Body to pay tribute to those illustrious thought leaders of their community, who strive to support literacy and the creation of powerful stories to uplift the Black community; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor influential Black authors upon the occasion of special recognition on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the Black Authors Festival in Sag Harbor, New York; and WHEREAS, Celebrating the power of words and Black authors, the Black Authors Festival aims to support literacy and honor influential Black authors and thought leaders in the community; it was founded by two professional Black women who curated the renowned event to acquaint and re-acquaint Black people with the notion of penning and publishing their own stories; and WHEREAS, The honorees being featured at the Black Authors Festival are: Tamron Hall, Emmy Award-winning television host, executive producer of the second longest running ABC Disney-produced syndicated talk show "Tamron Hall," and bestselling author; Chef Marcus Samuelsson, renowned chef behind many restaurants worldwide and competitor on shows like Top Chef Masters and Chopped All-Stars, amongst many other achievements and his bestselling work in literature; Sheila Bridges, a creative visionary and design tastemaker who creates beautiful spaces for high-profile clients and has her work featured in notable museums, host of TV shows, and author; Ralph McDaniels, founder and curator of the Video Music Box Collection Inc., community advocate for inner city youth, and patron of the arts; Zebulon Vance Miletsky, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in the Department of Africana Studies and History at SUNY Stony Brook University and distinguished author of numerous articles, reviews, essays, and book chapters; Jennifer L. Morgan, Ph.D., Professor of History in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis at New York University and author of novels that examine the elements of gender and race in society; Joseph H. Holland, writer, attorney, entrepreneur, civic leader, and ordained minister with over 40 years of experience serving the community; Dr. LaKeesha Walrond is an educator, visionary leader, sought after speaker, and consummate change agent who empowers women and those devout in faith through her literary works and service to church and community; Darlene Williams, a publicly recognized award-winning personal development coach is the Founder of The Higher Level Method, a strong community activist, and Founder of the nationally recognized Black Authors Festival, LLC; Verdel A. Jones, experienced educator, Co-Founder of Black Authors Festival, Founder and CEO of the nonprofit, Share Inform Enlighten Inc., long time talk show host, and passionate author; Alissa Anderson, multi-talented individual with experience in Legal, Compliance, Talent Relations, Sales and Sales Operations, and Marketing fields; Rudy Breedy, nonprofit executive, educator, entrepreneur and award-winning multimedia personality who is the host of "Rudy's Room"; Maurice L. Williams, Founder of the award-winning A Father's Love Personal Development Institute, youth advocate, adjunct lecturer, businessman, community leader, philanthropist, noted rap artist, and bestselling author; Miya Jones, multimedia journalist, entrepreneur, producer, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, Executive Producer of Shades of Shades of Long Island, and community and youth advocate; and Lish Steiling, chef, food stylist, recipe writer, and James Beard-Award and Emmy Award-winning culinary producer; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor influential Black authors upon the occasion of special recognition at the Black Authors Festival in Sag Harbor, New York on August 3, 2024; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the aforementioned honorees and the Black Authors Festival Board.